StartupUNO is open to all UNO students and will provide entrepreneurial training and mentorship to the teams. The competition will culminate in a pitch event to real investors with the opportunity win cash from a prize purse of $10,000. Space is limited. The application is due September 10, 2024, by 11:59pm. All applicants will be interviewed between September 11th-18th as part of the application process. Applicants will be notified via email no later than September 20th of the teams selected to participate in StartupUNO 2024. 

• Submissions must be entered by teams consisting of at least two members. 
• At least one member of the team must be a registered student of UNO in the Fall 2024 semester.
  
• Each team may enter only one idea or concept. 
• Pitch competitors may participate on only one team. 
• The pitched idea or concept must be the original work of the individual or team pitching it.  
• Current UNO student team members will be allowed to pitch to the panel of judges or answer questions from the judges.  UNO alumni who have graduated within one calendar year of program can participate in the pitch.
• Seminar attendance is required. At least one participant from each team must be present at each of the three seminars to be eligible to pitch. It is highly recommended that all team members attend. Seminars will be held on September 24th, October 8th, and October 22nd (subject to change). 
• At least one participant from each team must attend one-on-one meetings, by appointment, with the UNO Research and Technology Foundation team. It is highly recommended that all team members attend. 
• The pitch event day is to be held on November 19, final details to be announced.   

Applicant teams agree to all competition rules and to attend all necessary events. Individuals or teams must disclose any funding already received at the time of registration. Ideas or concepts may already be funded before this competition by personal or family funds, small amounts of seed capital from outside investors, or modest amounts of funding stemming from institutional or research grants.  

The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation has the sole discretion to determine which teams are invited into the competition and to pitch. It may also disqualify and/or remove any individual or teams for any reason that it deems appropriate before and/or during the pitch competition for violation of competition rules.  All decisions regarding team participation in the competition and pitch event are final.   

• Program Application – Submit the following information about your idea via the online application form
  Contact information
  Team member(s) information 
  Name and/or description of product/service 
  Need/problem addressed with product/service 
  Potential competitors 
  Previous funding received 
  
  
• Confidentiality – StartupUNO Pitch Competition and its organizers are not responsible for any confidentiality issues that may occur during the course of, or as a consequence of, the competition. Pitch Competition competitors agree that organizers incur no liability from disputes arising therefrom. 

• Reproduction – StartupUNO Pitch Competition organizers may take photographs and/or video of any materials used or made available by pitching individuals or teams during the competition for public relations purposes. Any content presented by a competitor should be considered public information disclosure. Competitors should carefully consider excluding any proprietary information or materials that the competitor feels are at risk of disclosure. 

• Prize Money – The individual recipients of prize money will be responsible for the tax implications of their winnings. StartupUNO Pitch Competition prize money payments may be considered by the Internal Revenue Service as ordinary income to the individual(s) or team members receiving the prize money. 

I don’t have an idea but interested in startups, how can I participate? 
Join us at the Kick Off event being held at UNO’s University Center on August 27 from 12:30 – 2pm to meet other students needing partners to support their existing idea and/or speak with an Innovation team member to learn how we can support you.

I don’t have a team member, can I still apply? 
The competition is only open for teams of two (2) or more members. Please reach out to us and we can help you identify a team member.  

I am from another university but would like to take part. What should I do? 
Applicant teams are to be led by a current UNO student. If you do not have a UNO student team member, you can attend the Kick Off event at the UNO University Center on August 27 from 12:30 – 2pm and meet UNO students looking to apply to the event. 

Who are the judges? 
The judges will be local and regional investors and industry members. Further details of the judging panel will be shared prior to the final pitch event. 

How is the prize money split? 
Each team must determine how the money is to be awarded. All members of the team that applied to the competition must agree on the method of award. Please make sure to be aware of the tax implications of winning a prize.

The University of New Orleans Research & Technology Foundation and the University of New Orleans reserve the right to disqualify any applicant or registrant who violates competition rules, engages in conduct unbecoming to the organizers, or behaves in any manner that is not aligned with the mission and purpose of the hosting entities.